Jo Stevens MP, Labour’s Shadow Digital, Culture, Media & Sports Secretary, responding to the Government’s announcement of ‘Cultural Renewal Taskforce’, said:

“Our cultural and creative industries will be integral to our economic recovery and national wellbeing so to, at last, see Government attention to planning for their renewal is welcome.

“However an advisory taskforce is no substitute for financial support for our cultural and creative industries and thousands of talented individuals across the sector have been left to face this crisis alone and without access to financial support schemes.

“Unless this is addressed urgently and the Government finally listens to our calls and those from across the sector, it risks an exodus of skills making a plan for renewal even more difficult to deliver.”